european union law research basics. what is the european union? transnational organization twenty...
TRANSCRIPT
European Union Law
Research Basics
What is the European Union?
Transnational organizationTwenty five member statesPurposes of the EU
– Promote economic/social progress– Maintain and build on established law– Promote EU citizenship– Develop freedom, security and justice
EU Treaties
Form the basis of the EUMultiple treaties are in forceConstitution under consideration
Institutional Aspects of EU Law
Lawmaking Bodies– Commission– Parliament – Council
Institutional Aspects of EU Law
Commission proposes legislationParliament and Council
review/amend proposalsFinal version approved by both
Parliament and Council
Institutional Aspects of EU Law
Secondary Legislation is the statute law of the EU
Regulations/Decisions are self-executing
Directives need national legislation for implementation
Institutional Aspects of EU Law
EU Courts– European Court of Justice, 1959-.– Court of First Instance, 1989-.
Institutional Aspects of EU Law
ECJ and CFI sit in chambersBoth issue unanimous judgmentsBoth have Judge Advocates to
assist in decisionmaking
Where to find EU documents
Treaties-EU treaty series, Official Journal, Part C
Secondary legislation-final versions in Official Journal, Part L
Court Judgments-European Court Reports
Online Resources
Europa website– CELEX– EurLex
LEXIS/WESTLAW– Primary sources– Periodical literature– News sources
Points to remember
No EU equivalent to US CodeLook for consolidated EU treatyLook for national implementing
legislation for directivesLegislative drafting process is
complicated
Stay Current!
Recent developments require up to date information
Secondary sources and print/online resources should reflect current practice